Horse arena maintenance

   / Horse arena maintenance #11  
The big difference in arena prep for different disciplines is in the depth of the footing. Ropers, cutters, etc., prefer a deeper footing. Hunter/Jumpers will be a little less deep, and Dressage takes an even ‘firmer’ footing. With a tool like the Reveal 4-N-1 you can easily determine the depth of your footing and go from cutting cattle in an arena one day to holding a FEI Dressage test the next.

If you have a good footing, you can ride any discipline with a little fine tuning.
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #12  
Or you could use a chain tine harrow drag with a railroad tie tied to the end of it. Crude, but works.

The Lexington Horse Center in Lexington, Va, is a premier equine facility, hosting varying equine events. From Dressage, to Team Roping. They use the Reveal, and the footing has always been top notch. Which one to use, depends on your requirements, and how deep your pocket is. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #13  
The Ground Hog looks a lot like the Reveal 4-N-1 (or vice versa). I guess when something works, it works. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #14  
I've worked in horse racing my entire life and have seen pretty much every type of condioner and tool out there.

For arenas, or any type of riding surface, your equipment is largely dependant on the surfance type.

For race tracks we have a few main tools. A condioner, harrows, rollers and floats

A condioner is a 3 phase tool. It scarifies, rolls and breaks up the soil and drag harrows. It's best for hard packed, etc... You can adjust the height and deepness to get a consistant surface.

A float is a steal I beam on the 3pt hitch. It's purpose is to float the water off the top and leave a flat surface so new water will roll off.

Drag harrows are a must for any operation. Although fixed harrows on wheels are nice, they don't follow the contour of the ground and cause incosistant depth.

Rollers are used for sealing the ground. If you are expecting rain but have an event the following day, it's best to seal the dirt. All new water rolls off of the top.

With our arena we are able to get by with just drag harrows. It's sandy enough that it only gets hard in the coldest of winter.

Watering is also key in maintaining a nice surface. Too much water you get a hard surface. Not enough and you get poor footing and dust.

There is also the option of chemicals. We use different chemicals depending on the surface and weather. Lime to keep tracks from freezing, etc.... However, they can be harmful to your horses feet if used in excess.

Also, a surface is only good for so many years. Eventually it reaches the point where it won't work up the same and will always be too hard or too deep.
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #15  
Our 125x250 foot outdoor arena has stone dust or screenings on it. After some rain, I take my ten foot discer to it otherwise, I cannot cut it because the screenings get to hard. Then I dress it with my Land Pride landscape rake which has a wheel kit. I want to buy the Land Pride scafire some time to break up the screenings enough for the rake to be of use. With the discer, I cannot get into the corners.

Whatever you get, I would want it to be wide enough to minimize the time it takes to do the job but not to wide so to be unwieldy.
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #16  
Timmmmah, I just purchased a Gearmore rotary harrow. Have only used it for a few hours so far, it turns up and levels the dirt nicely. The harrow spins continuously by tilting the harrow 2-3 inches to the right and slightly to the rear. (per owners manual) This implement works good with multiple passes.
Good luck with your decision /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Brian
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #17  
A little shift in the topic here, but the same general idea. Do any of you have suggestions for an effective way to keep snow out of an outdoor arean in winter time?

Chemicals seem to be one possibility, but I can see issues with harming horses' feet. Salt that melts the snow is bound to dry hooves.

I've wondered about running water pipes under the surface of the arena and circulating warm water through them. I've no idea what that would cost or even if it could be effective. The pipes would have to be deep enough that there's no risk of uncovering or damaging them when working the arena.

Any thoughts on this? I know that covering the arena is one idea but most days it's warm enough to ride outside and I prefer that if the footing can be maintained.

-- Grant
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #18  
If you want to keep an outdoor surface from freezing you only have two options.

First is chemicals. Harmful to their feet and must be kept up.

Second is a synthetic surface. A few of the race tracks are going to this. It doesn't hold water so it doesn't really freeze easily. I've seen it pour for 5 days straight and the surface remains consistant. However, it averages about $6 a square foot. It consists of yarn, rubber and wax coated sand. There are several copy cat ideas for cheaper but they all have perks. The cheap ones don't last as long and the dust can cause eye problems with horses.
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #19  
Thanks for those thoughts. I guess $6/ft. is less than covering an arena but it doesn't sound like it would keep snow from accumulating, eh?

-- Grant
 
   / Horse arena maintenance #20  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks for those thoughts. I guess $6/ft. is less than covering an arena but it doesn't sound like it would keep snow from accumulating, eh?

-- Grant )</font>

No, it won't stop accumulation. The surface will still need to be cleared and prepped. I'm also not sure how hard it is to work up after a significant snowfall. At the race tracks they work the surface 24/7 until the storm is over, or up until the event. They don't usually let the track sit for more than 12 hours.
 
 
 
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